THE CCP ANNIVERSARY SHOW 30 years of a cultural feast

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines with Philip Morris

Philippines, Inc. has lined up a series of programs to celebrate

its 30th year until August 2000.

The celebration was opened recently with the Gala Concert to

mark the foundation of the CCP. The first surprise was sprung

on the guests at the lobby when, just after the final call to be

seated was given, CCP technical director Monino Duque

brought out the country's two premier choirs, the Philippine

Madrigal Singers and the UP Concert Chorus, to sing the

National Anthem.

What followed was the festive Sublian performed by the Sining

Kumintang ng Batangas, directed by Delfin Novencido, a former

Bayanihan dancer, who sadly passed away a few days before

the event.

Celeste Legaspi, Tommy Abuel, Robert Arevalo, Susan Magno,

Chat Silayan and Alex Cortez hosted the show. The Philippine

Philharmonic Orchestra and the UST Symphony Orchestra

played under the baton of Chino Toledo and interpreted

''Phenomenon,'' an original composition by Dr. Ramon Santos.

Later, under the baton of Ruggero Barbieri, they performed

selected arias from ''La Traviata.''

Tenor Nolyn Cabahug sung Abelardos' ''Nasaan Ka Irog'' as

arranged by National Artist Lucio San Pedro, and young

soprano Rachelle Gerodias played ''Violetta'' to Cabahug's

Alfredo in ''Libiamo,'' sung in the Tagalog libretto made by the

late National Artist Rolando Tinio.

Several dance companies performed Tony Fabella's ''Mantones

de Manilla," under the direction of Gener Caringal.

Visually stunning was the Ramon Obusan-choreographed ''Mga

Ritwal ng Panalangin at Pasasalamat'' with a cast of 30 dancers

from eight folk dance groups performing to the music arranged

by Josef Radel Lopez.

In the finale, the Madrigal Singers and the UP Concert Chorus

sang Lucio San Pedro's ''Kayumangging Malaya'' and

''Kulturang Pilipino Alay sa Mundo.'' The latter is the new CCP

hymn written by acting CCP artistic director Herminio Beltran

and set to music by Ryan Cayabyab.

Much applauded was the retelling of the CCP's highlights in

each of the seven artistic fields over 30 years: Diogenes Barredo

(architecture), Danilo Dalena (visual arts), Bienvenido Lumbrera

(literature), Robert Arevalo (film), Andrea Veneracion (music),

Corazon Inigo (dance) and Daisy Avellanna (theater).

Later, the CCP ushers ceremoniously entered, each one holding

a tray of wineglasses, which they offered to the audience. This

signaled the entry of the well-loved Lucresia Kasilag, who drove

onstage in her scooter and led the toast in honor of the CCP's

colorful three decades.